Purposive Communication
S.Y. 2024 – 2025 | 3rd SEMESTER
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
LESSON 3: LOCAL AND GLOBAL CROSS-CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION IN - Deals with the comparison of
MULTICULTURAL SETTINGS different cultures. In cross-cultural
communication, differences are
Intercultural Communication understood and acknowledged, and
"When we are in communication with can bring about individual change,
people who are different from us, it is but not collective transformations.
challenging to know how to draw - In cross-cultural societies, one
inferences about what they mean, so it is culture is often considered "the
impossible to depend on the shared norm" and all other cultures are
knowledge and background for confidence compared or contrasted to the
in our interpretation." -Scollon & Scotton, dominant culture
1995
INTERCULTURAL
Culture - is learned patterns of perception, COMMUNICATION
values, and behaviors, shared by a group - Intercultural describes
of people, that are dynamic and communities in which there is a
heterogenous deep understanding and respect for
- In multicultural communities, we all cultures. Intercultural
live alongside each other communication focuses on the
- In cross-cultural communities, mutual exchange of ideas and
there is some reaching across cultural norms and the
boundaries development of deep relationships.
- In intercultural communities, there - In an intercultural society, no one
is a comprehensive mutuality, is left unchanged because everyone
reciprocity and equality learns from one another and grows
together.
MULTICULTURAL
- Refers to a society that contains
several cultural or ethnic groups.
- People live alongside one another,
but each cultural group does not
necessarily have engaging
interactions with each other.
Purposive Communication
S.Y. 2024 – 2025 | 3rd SEMESTER
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Cross-Cultural Communication High vs. Low Context
Typologies
Individualism v. Collectivism
- Individualism: In an
individualistic culture, the
individual is the most important
unit in society and a person's right
to privacy prevails over group
consideration.
- Collectivism: In a collective
culture, the group interest takes
precedence over the individual,
and people rely on their groups
(family/work/religious, etc.) for all
matter of support.
Sequential vs. Synchronic
Purposive Communication
S.Y. 2024 – 2025 | 3rd SEMESTER
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Affective vs. Neutral Developing Intercultural
Communicative Competence
- Everything should start with a
personal desire and strong
conviction to relate more
effectively with persons having
different cultural backgrounds.
This will not only create positive
personal relationships, but also
open more opportunities for
professional growth.
- Limiting one's reliance on
preconceived notions and
established stereotypes is also a
major leap towards effective
intercultural communication
IMPROVING ONE'S ABILITY IN
COMMUNICATING IN A
MULTICULTURAL SETTING
Refrain from forming expectations
based solely on your culture.
- Knowing and accepting the
validity of cultural differences are
key in communicating with people
having diverse communication
styles.
- Being an effective communicator
requires allowing yourself to be
immersed in the multicultural
society and embracing diversity.
Purposive Communication
S.Y. 2024 – 2025 | 3rd SEMESTER
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Seek Commonalities - Build mutual culture may be neither the only correct
understanding with the other person. way nor the best way of doing things, and
- As Morris (1994: 6) describes: 'We we must be flexible in adapting our
may wear different hats, but we all communication as the situation requires.
show the same smile; we may - Our knowledge of cultural
speak different languages, but they dimensions and values will go a
are all rooted in the same basic long way to help us adapt to new
grammar; we may have different situations.
marriage customs, but we all fall in
love Embracing Diversity: Cultural
Exchange Interview
Overcome Stereotype and Prejudice Step 1: Form Diverse Cultural Groups
- The belief in the superiority of - Let's start by forming pairs or
one's own culture creates barriers groups of five with members from
to intercultural understanding. – different cultural backgrounds.
- Unfounded assumptions about The goal is to ensure a rich
outgroup members compared to exchange of perspectives and
our ingroup hinder our ability to experiences.
appreciate diverse perspectives. – Step 2: Culturally Relevant Questions
- Adopting cultural relativism
- Create a list of open-ended
allows us to comprehend others'
questions that cover various
actions from their cultural aspects of culture and personal
perspectives. experiences. Some sample
questions could include: What are
Developing flexibility and Openness some traditional customs or
- Cultural rules govern the distance practices unique to your culture?
that is perceived as appropriate 1. How does your culture celebrate
between speakers, the loudness at important events and festivals?
which a person should speak 2. Can you share a personal
during an interaction, the experience that influenced your
appropriate amount of gestures, cultural identity?
and the appropriate information to 3. What role does language play in
be shared between speakers based preserving your cultural heritage?
on their relationship.
4. How does your culture view family
- We must keep an open mind and be
and community relationships?
aware that what we practice in our
Purposive Communication
S.Y. 2024 – 2025 | 3rd SEMESTER
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
5. What are some common
misconceptions about your culture
that you would like to address?
6. How has your culture evolved over
time, and what factors influenced
these changes?
Step 3: Cultural Background and
Experiences Interview
- Each member of the group should
interview their partner or other
group members about their cultural
background and experiences using
the prepared questions. Encourage
active listening and curiosity
during the interviews.
Step 4: Presenting Cultural Discoveries
- After the interviews, each member
will present their partner's culture,
highlighting both similarities and
differences to their own culture.
Utilize various presentation
methods, such as Presentations
should include:
1. Introduction of the interviewee and
their cultural background.
2. Sharing interesting cultural
practices, traditions, and values
unique to the interviewee's culture.
3. Exploring similarities and
differences between their culture
and the presenter's culture.
4. Emphasizing the significance of
cultural diversity in fostering a
more inclusive society.
